DisrupTech Continues Fund I Deployment, Eyes Future $70M Vehicle to Fuel Fintech, AI Expansion in MENA
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DisrupTech, Egypt’s fintech-focused venture capital firm, is entering a critical phase of growth while continuing to deploy capital from its first USD 36 million fund. With approximately USD 11 million still to be invested through the end of 2026, the firm remains focused on supporting innovative startups that address real market needs.
At the same time, DisrupTech is studying the potential launch of a second fund—valued at around USD 70 million—which remains under consideration and has not been finalized. This forward-looking strategy is supported by strong portfolio performance, with more than 90% of its 21 backed startups securing follow-on funding, and standout successes like MNT-Halan reaching unicorn status in 2022.
Up until now, DisrupTech has put its money behind 21 innovative startups across a dozen markets. If you’ve been following the local fintech scene on sites like Arageek, you’d recognise a few names from their portfolio. MNT-Halan, Khazna, Mozare3 and WideBot all received backing from the VC. Impressively, these companies combined now generate over USD 450 million in revenue annually—nothing to sneeze at.
There’ve been some standout performances too. More than 90% of DisrupTech’s portfolio companies attracted additional investment rounds, clearly demonstrating investor confidence. One star bit of news was MNT-Halan achieving unicorn status in 2022—hitting a billion-dollar valuation was big news. The company is pushing forward strongly, with plans underway for expansion into Turkey and Pakistan.
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Now, DisrupTech is set on maintaining its focus on fintech and financial services, but also widening its scope into healthtech, agri-tech, fintech infrastructure and artificial intelligence-driven platforms. These sectors, the firm reckons, genuinely address essential market needs and benefit massively from technology-driven solutions.
Looking ahead, their upcoming USD 70 million fund will continue the previous approach, further homing in on AI-based platforms and specialised technologies with tangible real-world applications. Additionally, the firm aims to foster an even tighter collaboration with banks, corporates, and regulators, helping to cultivate a more supportive ecosystem for fintech growth throughout Egypt and the region.
Meanwhile, across the wider Midle East, other fintech ventures are making substantial moves. UAE-based startup Qashio recently bagged USD 19.8 million—a significant investment led by Silicon Valley VC, Rocketship.vc. It seems it’s high season for fintechs, with Saudi fintech Stitch raising a cool USD 10 million in a seed funding round headed by Arbor Ventures and Raed Ventures, among others.
Closer to home, Egypt’s Valu announced intentions to go public on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), following a dividend-distribution shuffle from parent group EFG Holding. Then there’s COREangels MEA, launching a USD 10 million fund targeting budding Middle East and African tech startups, in collaboration with Kemtix Ventures.
Saudi Arabia isn’t sitting on its laurels either—in fact, their fintech firm PayTabs recently debuted an AI-based payment orchestration platform, proudly developed entirely on home turf. Riyadh’s Birdeye also stirred excitement, raising just shy of USD 600 thousand in a pre-seed round.
Elsewhere, the Egyptian Sekem Holding is gearing up to pump nearly half a billion Egyptian pounds into food and agriculture, a sizeable investment aiming to bolster domestic productivity.
With all these developments, the region’s startups certainly seem determined to make their mark on the world stage—exciting times lie ahead for Middle Eastern tech.
